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ICJ calls to end criminalisation of LGBTI persons

Representatives from the World Health Organisation, the UN Women, the Blue Diamond Society and Mitini Nepal hoist the LGBTI rainbow flag at the UN House in Lalitpur to mark the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia Thursday. PRAKASH CHANDRA TIMILSENA

May 18, 2018-

The International Commission of Jurists has appealed to the South Asian states to repeal laws that discriminate against LGBTI persons, and to respect, protect and fulfil their human rights.

Marking the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO-T), the ICJ called on South Asian states on Thursday to end criminalisation of LGBTI identities, and to respect, protect, and fulfil LGBTI persons’ human rights, including their right to equality before the law.

“Across South Asia, discriminatory laws have enabled socially constructed gender and sexual norms to foster and perpetuate intimidation, harassment, threats of violence and violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons, due to animosity, hostility and hatred motivated in whole or in part by their actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and/or intersex status,” the ICJ said in a statement. While there have been some progressive developments, discrimination, violence and other human rights abuses against LGBTI people--both at the hands of state and non-state actors--remain rampant in South Asia, the commission said.

On IDAHO-T, the ICJ renews its call on all South Asian governments to repeal discriminatory laws against LGBTI persons, including laws that criminalise consensual same-sex sexual relations.

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